Perky Planets of May--Astrological Forecast for May 2016

artwork by Patricia Herlevi

In May, Mercury and Jupiter go Direct, Mars retrogrades back into Scorpio, and a Mutable T-Cross transforms into a Mutable Grand Square the final week. At the start of the month, five of the ten planets are retrograde which has us searching inward. More fiery types feel like a boat grounded on a rocky shore and airy types long for breathing space.

The first half of the month responds to the Taurus New Moon's earthy and grounded energy while the second half of the month, has us shooting arrows at the sun (Sagittarius Full Moon) even if the Mutable planet energies tangle us in blue (to quote Bob Dylan, a Gemini). At least we don't have the specter of the Uranus-Pluto square hovering over our lives any longer, even if Capricorns, Aries, Librans and Cancerians experience deep transformation and liberation when Uranus and Pluto make transits to their sun, moon, and Ascendants.

However, the highlight at the beginning of the month falls on the Fixed and Mutable Signs. With Mercury retrograde in the Earth Sign, Taurus until May 21 (22), communication comes at a relaxed pace, if at all. None of us feels like hanging out on a technical device or checking e-mails. Some of us choose to take a vacation at the beginning of May or attend a retreat. We want to commune with trees, birds and soak in the sun's rays, instead of hanging out in the office.

Vocalists and speakers return to older material and audiences appreciate the trip down Memory Lane. Taurus vocalists such as Barbara Streisand or Stevie Wonder (and Cher) make news headlines and we prefer music that leaves us feeling grounded. We prefer songs with sensual details where we lose our senses during Mercury's transit in Taurus. We want to communicate with practical people, as opposed to dreamers, and we also want to talk about ways to increase prosperity and abundance. Some people will return to old jobs, especially those born with their sun, moon, or Ascendant in Taurus or Leo, but for Leo, that job must have creative potential and avenues to show leadership abilities.

Mercury RX in Taurus also affects agriculture, farming and food security. Food safety could become an issue as people who inspect food or handle safety regulations in food processing or packaging plants aren't as detailed oriented as other times. The media will also pounce on past food poisoning and neglectful incidents that happened as reporters pull out archival articles. I see an e-coli breakout coming out of a major feedlot (remember Taurus rules cattle) that finds its way through fast food restaurants and possibly through a major sporting venue (ie: hotdogs at a baseball game sort of scenario). This isn't to cause paranoia, but to realize that food safety is not at its optimum level in May. Forgo the hotdog. Go vegetarian in May since slaughter houses and feed lots come under scrutiny. I would even stay away from free range meat products, but they are usually a safer bet.

Retrograde Mars transits from Sagittarius to Scorpio on the 27 around the same time the Gemini Sun and Venus lock Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn into a Grand Mutable Square. It's going to be difficult to get anyone to budge during this time. Mars retrograde gives us less energy to work with so we want to lay low and when Mars is in Scorpio, it's a time for deep inner work, especially with delving into the workings of our subconscious minds. We search inward for clues to our true life paths if we're not already on our path.

And again, the outlet is Jupiter in Virgo since this planet appears in the Grand Square and a Grand Earth Trine with Mercury and Pluto. We discover, for those of you reading this message, that our life path dovetails the the transformation and shift happening on the planet. We find that when we lend our talents and skills towards a greater service, we align with our true desires and life magically unfolds for us. We reclaim our personal power (Pluto) and stop manipulating others with charm or guilt to get our needs met. This leads to liberation on personal and global levels.

Important Dates:

May 6, New Moon in Taurus
May 8, Jupiter goes Direct
May 21-22, Mercury goes Direct in Taurus
May 21, Full Moon in Sagittarius
May 21, Sun moves into Gemini 
May 25, Venus transits into Gemini 
May 27, Mars transits into Scorpio RX 
May 29, Grand Mutable Square commences (Sun/Venus in Gem, Jup in Vir, Sat in Sag & Nep in Pis)

RX Planets

*Mercury, *Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, and Mars 
* Go direct in May 

These could be off a day since I'm using a daily planner...

Signs most effected by May's transits:

Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius, Leo, Pisces, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Gemini 
Uranus is the strongest planet moving direct in Aries unspected except for a wide square with Pluto RX

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